1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
Marty Supreme is nervy and New York–y and based on a famous table-tennis player.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Nevada scored a late TD in that one to cause a nervy final two minutes.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
The thriller — more horrific than straight-up scary — is worth checking out, if only for the late Brittany Murphy's nervy turn as a razor-wielding woman confined to a sanatorium.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Nevada scored a late TD in that one to cause a nervy final two minutes.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
The thriller — more horrific than straight-up scary — is worth checking out, if only for the late Brittany Murphy's nervy turn as a razor-wielding woman confined to a sanatorium.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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Color-wise, no two Cotopaxi Allpas are alike.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Listen to wise advice and inner intuition.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The couple also chose an adventurous activity for their honeymoon in 1996.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Desserts, too, are both adventurous and delicious.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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While the money is flowing, state officials are still nervous.—
Miquéla V Thornton,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
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The atmosphere at the Emirates was nervous, too, and their next two opponents — Leeds (away) and Sunderland (home) — will give no quarter.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That moment showed his cheeky side — his knack for making her laugh — and their unique bond.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Rounding everything out with comfy, Sweeney changed into a plunging white tank top and matching cheeky underwear.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The looks grew more daring, spanning tear-away jean shorts and jeans covered in clear sequins to micro shorts worn over base layers.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
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Insisting that the mission is bigger than any one person, including its creator, the film opens space for more daring, messy attempts to follow.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This is a relief for now, but the market won’t stop being worried about memory hurting gross margins until prices come down.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Kids were scared, parents were worried, and the shocking crime instantly became a high-profile case, meaning, of course, that there was high pressure to convict.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This showstopper of a dessert mashes up the bold caffeinated flavors of classic tiramisu with the perfectly wobbly, creamy perfection of panna cotta.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Making a monetization limitations promise up front is a bold move as a small indie studio, but that is one way in which Wildlight plans to differentiate itself from other video game developers.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Frontier is a nonprofit newsroom that produces fearless journalism with impact in Oklahoma.—
Ari Fife,
The Frontier,
31 Jan. 2026
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The thrill of seeing a fearless, indefatigable performer single-handedly populate the stage with the myriad figures of this masterwork never lets up.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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